Special/Critical Inspections

Firecode Inspection

Fire-stopping and Fire-proofing are two very effective means for passive fire safety of a structure, if applied properly. The key is to understand the underlying UL/ FM design that has been approved by the project architect. It is not just an application of product, but a system that must conform to the stated design, once all the components are installed.

Firestopping (Fire-Resistant Penetrations and Joints):
Just because you may “see the red stuff” around a pipe, is not an indication the firestopping is complete and acceptable. We recommend prior to the start of work a kick-off meeting with the firestopping trades be held with the Special Inspection Agency, Contractor(s) and Construction Manager.
The contractor is required to submit the material and details (referencing UL, FM Approved or other acceptable tested system) for the penetrations they intend to firesafe. The details would include a specific material to be used in a specific application. The details would typically include minimum and maximum gaps that are allowed to be filled and the details would specify the minimum thickness of the firestop material. Do you need to seal both sides of the board? Do you need to seal both sides of the partition or slab? Is a backing material required? If angles are required in the application, what is thickness required, Do the angles need to the overlap the opening, spacing of the screws etc. etc. etc. Any information needed to complete the installation would be included in the firestopping details.
Fireproofing:
Once the steel inspections are completed, the fireproofing (either spray fireproofing or intumescent) begins. Our inspections will cover visual inspection of the condition of substrates, the thickness of application and for the material, test samples of the spray material will be extracted and tested for density (pcf)and our inspector will perform bond strength tests in the field to verify for adhesion/cohesion meets manufacture requirements. The completed inspection verifies the condition of the finished application.
Surfaces must be prepared to the conditions required of the specifications. The surface preparation and the application of the new material must be installed per the written instruction of the manufacturer of the fireproofing material being used. Thickness measurements will be taken as detailed in Technical Manual 12A and 12B for fire resistive materials and the results recorded. Any deficiencies must be corrected and a follow up inspection performed to satisfy our final inspections.

 Firecode Inspection

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